Local businessman Arthur Joseph Hunsdorfer, Jr., 71, passed away Saturday, July 14, 2007 after a lengthy illness. He was born in Lindsay, California on July 24, 1935 to Helen and Arthur Joseph Hunsdorfer, Sr. He was a loving and courageous husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Art attended Salinas High School and graduated from Gilroy High School in 1953. He also attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. In 1955, he enlisted in the Navy and was a Radioman Third Class and also served in the Reserves. Art married Maralee Shy in 1959 and they made their home in Gilroy. Art worked for Lang Shoes in Gilroy from 1957-1958 and purchased the store from Jock Lang in 1959. He and is wife Maralee worked to build their new venture and in 1962, they changed the name to Mr. Art’s Shoes. In 1970, they opened Mr. Art’s Shoes in Oldtown Salinas. Art went on to open additional stores in Monterey, Capitola and a second location in Salinas. He retired from the shoe business in 1995. He and wife Maralee currently own Cypress Collections in Salinas.
Art served on the Center City Authority from 1979 – 1988. He helped to establish the Oldtown Association and has served as President of the Oldtown Salinas Association. Art served as a proud member of the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Board of Governors and the Executive Committee from 2000-2005 and began his second term in 2007.
Art is survived by his loving and devoted wife Maralee, daughter Deborah Hunsdorfer, son Art H. Hunsdorfer (Barbara), and daughter Teri L. Hunsdorfer. Grandchildren Ashley Harp, Robert Harp, Julianne Hunsdorfer, Christopher Hunsdorfer, Nathaniel Hunsdorfer and Alanah Hunsdorfer. He is also survived by sisters Ardean (Neland) Doughty and Gail (Carl) Burchfiel, sisters-in-law Roseanne (John) Richardson and Dora Jean (Ed) Enos and many nieces & nephews. He is also survived by his faithful friend Bentley Ebersocks (his pet Schnauzer).
Memberships: Member of Keith Lodge #187 Free & Accepted Masons of California, Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce, Cypress Community Church, and Monterey Peninsula Country Club.
Memorial Service will be held Saturday, July 21, 2007 at 12:00 P.M. at Cypress Community Church on Hwy 68 in Salinas.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation P.O. Box 4760 Salinas, CA 93912-9952 and Cypress Community Church 681 Monterey / Salinas Highway Salinas, CA 93908.
Arrangements by Struve and Laporte Chapel.
For more information, please visit www.struveandlaporte.com
